S1

Rural Trainees

The project aimed to train young people in environmental conservation and management skills and help them obtain appropriate employment or further training afterwards.

Trainees worked alongside expert practitioners and acquire underpinning knowledge and accreditation from a local college to give them the confidence and skills to become the future custodians of the environment.

These posts have been part-funded by the employers (Natural England and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority) and the Prince's Countryside Fund.

Why?

Evidence exists to show that there are opportunities for well-trained young people, however there is a low local availability of key countryside management skills. With this significant shortage of skilled labour this project has been developed to provide trainees with appropriate skills, qualifications and awareness of the importance of the Ingleborough landscape.

What’s involved?

Each trainee was provided with up to 18-months of paid work experience and work-based training. They gained appropriate qualifications, were supported by a mentor, and given support in finding work and/or training at the and of their placement.

What opportunities were provided?

Six opportunities were provided over the five years of the scheme. Two trainees were placed with Natural England at Colt Park on the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve, and four apprentices were placed with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority at its Stone Dyke Barn site near Stainforth.

Video thanks to TWOSEVEVENMEDIA